Multiple purpose furniture



@ 59 w54 F. R. SALISBURY @6909570 MULTIPLE PURPOSE FURNITURE Filed NQV. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l @6% 5, w54 F. R. sALlsuRY 2990957@ MULTIPLE PURPOSE FURNITURE Filed NOV. 20, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gig 5 ENVENTOR. Q

Patented Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The primary object of my invention is the Y provision of a device of the class described which will provide a sofa or davenport with a builtin table section which will give it the appearance and utility of a multiple chair and table arrangement by day and permit its quick and easy conversion to a full-length unobstructed bed at night by simple manipulation of the table top and securing it in a vertical position where, with shelf arrangements built into its under-side, it will serve as a convenient and stationary nightstand.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described in which all the parts thereof provide continuous utility and decor, both while the unit is serving as a piece of parlor furniture and while it is serving as a bed.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is relatively inexpensive to produce, which is extremely easy to convert from day-time to night-time use and vice versa, which is rugged in construction, and which may be acquired by the ultimate purchaser at a cost considerably below the cost of acquiring an equivalent amount of furniture in separate pieces.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described, which is relatively light in weight, is compact in both of its positions of use, and which lends itself readily to specific changes in design and appearance.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings:

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one form of my invention as seen from the front thereof and showing its conversion to day-time use;

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the structure converted to night-time use;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure of Fig.` 1 as seen from the rear, some parts being removed and some parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in section taken substantially onthe line 4--4 of Fig. 1 but showing the table top in a partially elevated position; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention as seen from the front, some parts being broken away.

Referring with greater particularity to the structure of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings, the numeral I indicates in its entirety an elongated generally rectangular frame supported by a suitable number of legs 2 and including end frame members 3 and longitudinally extended front and rear frame members I and 15 respectively. A conventional mattress 6, preferably of the inner-spring type, is supported by the frame I and projects above the level thereof to provide a sleeping surface which may be used as a chair seat during the day. The sidewalls 'I of the mattress 6 lie substantially in the same vertical plane as the side portions 8 of the members 3, 4, and 5 of the frame I.

Suitably secured by bolts 9 or the like to the intermediate portion of the rear frame member 5 is a supporting element in the nature of a panel I9 which projects above the level of the mattress 6. Secured to the upper edge II of the support I0, by means of hinges I2 is a generally rectangular table top I3 which is adapted to be swung from the horizontal table-forming position of Fig. 1 to the vertical position of Fig. 2 wherein it lies in a plane laterally off-set from the mattress E. Depending from the forward edge I4 of the table top I3 is a panel-like supporting element I5 which, preferably as shown, is provided with a decorative central panel I6. Preferably and as shown, the front frame member Il is laterally outwardly off-set at its intermediate portion as indicated at I'I whereby to project outwardly of the wall 'i of the mattress 6. The laterally off-set portion I'I provides a shelf for engaging and supporting the supporting element I5 when said table top I3 is in its horizontal position of Fig. 1. Also preferably and as shown, the free longitudinal edge of the supporting element I5 is reduced as at I8. For the snug reception of said reduced portion, an elongated upwardly opening slot I9 in the shelf-acting portion Il is provided, see particularly Fig. 4.

This construction obviously is one means of im-l parting rigidity to the table top I3 when in said horizontal position. Attention is here also directed to the fact that the intermediate legs 2' are positioned one each under opposite ends of the oi-set shelf-acting portion Il so as to aid in the illusion that table top I3, when in said horizontal position, is a part of a table unit, independent of the chair-acting portions on opposite sides thereof.

Also preferably and as shown, the opposite end portions of the table top I3 are provided. with depending skirt-acting elements which depend therefrom and closely overlie the mattress 8 when said table top I3 is in the horizontal position of Fig. 1. The skirt portions 20 also aid in creating the illusion that the table, of which the table top I3 is a part, is independent of the cushioned surface portions on opposite sides thereof, available for seating.

When it is desired to convert the structure of Fig. 1 to a full-time bed for night use, it is but necessary to lift upwardly on the free edge I4 of the table top I3 to position same as shown in Fig. 2. Obviously the table top I3 may be securely retained in this upstanding position by any suitable means. For this purpose, I provide a bracket member 2i which is pivotally secured as at 22 to the support it and hence can be swung from its inoperative position in Fig. 4 to its upstanding position of Fig. 2 wherein it underlies and supports, with the aid of a hinged bracket member 2i', a shelf 23 hingedly secured as at 2. to the underside of the table top I3. The skirt members 20 may be pivotally secured to the underside of the table top I3 for swinging movements to and from the dotted and full line positions of Fig. 2, if desired.

For the purpose of imparting both beauty and utility to the structure above described, detachable back-rest forming elements 25 may be positioned as at Fig. 1.

In the modified structure of Fig. 5 the frame is identified by the numeral 26, the supporting legs by 2l, the mattress by 28 and the back-rest elements by 29. End-boards 38 are secured to the frame 26 and project upwardly therefrom above the plane of the mattress at opposite ends thereof. Supporting means 3|, preferably and as shown, in the nature of a rear side-board, likewise projects upwardly above the level of the mattress, preferably to a height substantially that of endboards 38. A pair of table tops 32 are hingedly secured to the upper edges of the sideboard 3| adjacent opposite ends thereof for swinging movements from the upstanding position as shown at the right, to the table-forming position shown at the left, wherein they cover opposite end portions of the mattress 28. Depending skirt portions 33 are identical in all respects to the skirt I5 of the Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and the laterally olf-set shelf-acting portions 3d at opposite ends of the frame 26 correspond to the shelfacting portion I'I, above described. Also preferably and as shown the skirt depends from the inner edge portions of the table tops 32 and terminates in closely spaced relation to the mattress 28. The elements 38, 3l, 33, and 35 cooperate with the frame 2t and table tops 32 to form boxlike tables overlying legs 27. As shown, the support 3l extends from end to end of the frame 26 and has secured thereto through the medium of vertical bars 36 a longitudinally extended headboard 31. The pivoted brackets 38 and the shelves 39 are identical with the brackets 2I and shelf 23 of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects and while I have shown two forms of my invention, I wish it to be specifically understood that same is still capable of further modification without departure from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A multi-purpose furniture piece comprising a cushion supporting frame having end members and side members, a cushion on said frame extending substantially coextensive therewith providing an unbroken sleeping surface, a generally vertically disposed first support member secured to one of said side members intermediate the end members with the upper edge of said support member terminating above the cushion surface, a second support member secured to the other of said side members in lateral opposed relation to said rst support member, said support members being laterally offset in relation to Said side members, said second support member providing a ange-like supporting surface, a table top, means movably securing an end of said top to said edge of said iirst support member providing for movement of said top between a bed position and a table position, a panel-like supporting element secured to the other end of said table top, skirt portions depending from each side of said table top, said skirt portions being of less depth than said panel-like supporting element, means pivoted to said nrst support member to retain said top in said bed position, said supporting surface and said panel-like supporting element being provided with anchoring means comprising a longitudinally extending recess and a cooperating reduced portion to retain said table top in said table position, said table top when in said bed position being laterally oiset in its entirety to said cushion providing said furniture piece with said unbroken sleeping surface.

2 The structure defined in claim l wherein said furniture piece is further provided with a plurality of legs with a single leg positioned adjacent opposite ends of said second offset support member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 170,678 Mackenzie Dec. 7, 1875 323,872 Koskul Aug. 4, 1885 843,547 McKensey Feb. 5, 1907 2,087,574 Kaufer July 20, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 'Number Country Date 336,903 Germany May 17, 1921 427,098 Germany Mar. 25, 1928 674,511 France Oct. 21, 1927 780,820 France May 4, 1935 800,184 Germany Oct. 12, 1950 

